Ewan Mason
Chair and Interim CEO
Mr. Mason has extensive experience in corporate financings, restructuring and advisory work. He has worked as a contract geologist for a number of mining companies. Following receipt of his MBA he was employed by Richardson Greenshields (which was acquired by RBC Dominion Securities), rising to the role of Managing Director with RBC. During his tenure at RBC, Mr. Mason spent two years in London England, initiating global coverage of mining conglomerates around the world. Following his time at RBC, Mr. Mason was recruited by TD Securities to start up and head the re-launch of a mining investment banking team. Clients which Mr. Mason brought to TD in lead relationships include amongst others Xstrata plc, BHP Billiton,Vale, Votorantim, Buena Ventura, IAMGOLD, Gammon Gold, Jaguar Mining, HudBay Minerals, Northgate Minerals, Equinox Minerals, Eurozinc and International Minerals. Since leaving TD, Mr. Mason has served as a director for mining and exploration companies. He is currently the owner, officer and director of private corporations that are engaged in retail, inventory management and personal training and wellness.
George Read
Senior Vice President Corporate Development
Mr. Read is a diamond exploration geologist with over 34 years of international experience. Prior to his current position with Star Diamond Corp, he was President and CEO of Canabrava Diamond Corporation. He has 12 years of diamond exploration experience working with De Beers, including projects in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mali and Canada. Mr. Read came to Canada as a Landed Immigrant in early 1997 and worked as a consultant for a number of companies in Alberta, NWT, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, in addition to projects in Greenland and Brazil. Mr. Read is a graduate of the University of Cape Town (BSc. Hons., 1983), a Fellow of the Geological Association of Canada, a member of the American Geophysical Union and a Professional Geoscientist in the Provinces of Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Mr. Read became a citizen of Canada in September 2005.
Mark Shimell
Vice President Exploration
Mark Shimell is Vice President Exploration for Star Diamond Corporation. He is an exploration geologist with over 28 years of international experience in mineral exploration and 23 years of diamond exploration in Canada. Prior to migrating to Canada to work for Star Diamond Corporation Mr. Shimell worked for A.C.A Howe International U.K on exploration projects within Europe and Africa. Mr. Shimell graduated from Imperial College London (Royal School of Mines) with a degree in Mining Geology in 1995, a Master’s degree in 1998 and is a Professional Geoscientist in the Province of Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Rick Johnson
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Johnson has over 25 years' experience in accounting, audit, tax, and corporate governance. He joins from GFG Resources Inc. where he is and will continue to be the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. Prior to joining GFG in 2016, he was CFO, Vice President of Finance and Corporate Secretary of Claude Resources. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan and is of member of CPA Canada.